0105: You're so young.

After getting off the car, their small hands instinctively intertwined—warm and soft. It was as if Ji Yun’s recent confession and Xu Lin’s inability to respond had never happened. Or rather, Xu Lin had come to a clearer understanding of his feelings for Ji Yun, feeling a growing sense of guilt toward her and a harsh self-criticism for his own greed. For Ji Yun, it was simpler—she sensed Xu Lin’s feelings for her, which mattered more than any declaration of “I like you” or “I love you.”

“Xu Lin, I have a story to tell you,” Ji Yun said as they walked inward, seemingly recalling the past.

“Go ahead,” he replied.

“Actually, I envy you.”

“Envy me?”

“The you from when you first enrolled.”

“You think I’m some kind of admired figure, popular with everyone, with good grades and a pleasant personality. But honestly, I didn’t want to be like that.”

“Because it made me exhausted. It felt like everything was pushed upon me. Since so many people were watching me, I was afraid of making mistakes or saying the wrong thing.”

“So I had to work even harder, be more outstanding, but it all wore me down.”

“I also wanted to be alone, to have some quiet time. That’s when I started noticing you.”

“So that’s why you cheered me on?”

“Something like that. Don’t be disappointed. It’s not that I’m particularly kind or care about everyone, I just happened to glance at you a few more times.”

“No, what you said then was more important than anything else, like an angel catching me just before I fell into hell.”

“And before, I could only watch you from afar, but now I can hold your hand. I can give you an answer, if you want it.”

Xu Lin pondered for a moment and then spoke. If she agreed, he decided he would be brave once more for her sake.

But Ji Yun deliberately ignored the implication and shook her head.

“What answer? I don’t want to hear it now. The chance has already been given. We’re friends now, and that’s enough.”

“Alright then.”

Though they didn’t speak openly, both felt a sense of relief. They had now reached the hospital’s south gate.

However, as he took a few steps inside, Ji Yun tugged at him.

“What’s wrong?”

“Don’t you want to buy something for the patient?”

“Hehe, my wife really knows what’s best~”

“Xu Lin! Say one more weird thing, and I’m leaving.”

Although Ji Yun spoke teasingly, her hand still tightly gripped his fingers as she pulled him into a small supermarket.

“Don’t buy fruit. If the bones are injured, high-protein food is better—meat, eggs, and dairy.”

“How about a box of pure milk, some beef, and pork ribs? Bai Xuejie can cook the meat and ribs at home for her father.”

“Sounds good. I’ll follow your lead.”

Hearing Xu Lin say gently, “I’ll follow your lead,” a strange scene flashed through her mind: Xu Lin holding a cute child while she cooked, asking what he wanted to eat, and he replied, “Whatever you want.”

“Alright, then it’s settled. Shopkeeper~ five jin of fresh beef and five jin of pork ribs, please.”

“Coming right up!”

After buying the meat, they went next door to a high-end dairy distributor.

“Would you like pure milk?”

“Yes, what do you recommend? It’s for a patient.”

“This one is 75 yuan per box, with 24 cartons inside, and comes in a gift package.”

“Alright, this one then.” Ji Yun glanced at Xu Lin, who nodded and handed over a bill.

“Here you go, handsome. Here’s 30 yuan change.” The shop owner fished through his pocket several times to gather three ten-yuan notes, clearly reluctant to part with the money.

“I said I’ll pay.”

“We’re family; whether it comes out of the left pocket or the right, it’s the same, isn’t it?”

“Xu Lin! Today you’re saying anything. No wonder even big star Chu Jie likes you.”

“What do you mean by ‘lies’? (That’s called love!) You’re talking nonsense. We’re just good friends. Aren’t we good friends now?”

After speaking, he hurriedly took the box from the girl’s hands. If he didn’t improve his physical strength, even carrying it to the ward would be difficult.

Ji Yun was speechless at his shamelessness but powerless—after all, she liked this scoundrel.

“Tell me honestly, how many girls do you like?” Ji Yun asked, curious—not out of jealousy but pure interest.

“How many?”

“How many do you like, or rather, who likes you?”

“Well…”

Xu Lin hesitated, debating whether to be upfront with the class monitor to prepare her mentally, when a familiar voice interrupted them.

“Xu Lin, Ji Yun?”

Xu Lin almost dropped what he was holding when he heard the voice. Turning around, he saw their stern homeroom teacher, Zhao Gang.

“Hello, Teacher Zhao!”

“Are you here to see a patient together?”

Zhao Gang noticed what Xu Lin was carrying but was more interested in observing the two students, as they were the top two in their class.

“We’re here to visit Bai Xiaoxiao’s father.”

“Bai Xiaoxiao did well this time—she ranked second in the entire third grade, just one point behind first place.”

“I heard her family isn’t well-off. I didn’t expect her father to be hospitalized. The school has a support plan; you can let Bai Xiaoxiao know.”

“Thank you, Teacher. But Teacher, you came to the hospital too? Is someone unwell?”

Xu Lin responded respectfully but confidently, while Ji Yun stood silently by his side, like a little wife. Anyone watching might think he was bullying her.

“No, my cousin started an internship here. She likes yogurt, so I stopped by to buy some for her since she’s too busy.”

As he spoke, the stern teacher’s face softened into a smile, causing Xu Lin and Ji Yun to exchange a glance. The teacher seemed so serious—could he really be a doting brother?

“Well, we’ll be going now.”

Xu Lin and Ji Yun wanted to leave quickly. Although their relationship was known to their parents, the idea of the teacher knowing felt awkward.

“Yes, as I said before, I’m very open-minded, but you must maintain good grades. You have a long road ahead.”

“Here’s a somewhat embarrassing story: when I graduated a few years ago, I regretted having a fruitless romance in high school. Otherwise, I might have gotten into a better university.”

“We understand, Teacher,” Xu Lin and Ji Yun nodded. The teacher only wished the best for them.

But then they suddenly realized something.

“Teacher, you said you graduated a few years ago. How old are you?”

“Hm? I’m 29 this year. I graduated when I was 23.”

“Oh…”

“Right.”

They nodded, exchanging another glance. The teacher didn’t look like someone in their thirties. It was impolite, but he seemed younger than 35—dark, stocky, and weathered-looking, yet only 29.

“Ahem! You two go ahead. I’m heading up front, so I won’t walk with you.”

“Okay.”

Somewhat awkward, they nodded and left the shop.

Zhao Gang sighed, wondering if he really looked that old.

He picked up a box of milk and approached the counter, reaching for his wallet. Before he could take out the money, the shopkeeper’s wife approached.

“Which one is your handsome young man and pretty girl? They’re quite a striking pair standing together.”

“No, no… neither is my family.”

Zhao Gang was stunned. Before he could recover, the shopkeeper’s wife added with a teasing smile:

“Sorry, I was just saying, you look so young—maybe thirty-four or thirty-five at most. Where would you have two such grown children? Haha!”

Her compliment was sharp, and Zhao Gang’s face twitched. She certainly knew how to flatter!